The first step is to fill out the application. You will need to provide your personal information, such as name, address, phone number, social security number, and email. You will also be required to give information about your current job, salary and previous residences. Be sure to bring your driver's license as well, for verification of your identity.

When you turn in your application, most management companies will require an application fee. This money is used to cover the cost of running a background and credit check. The information learned from these checks will help the landlord decide if you are a qualified applicant. Remember that there’s no set rule on how much landlords can charge for the application fee, so be ready to pay as much as $100 per application.

Every apartment will require some proof of income (no matter where you live in the US), in order to validate that you can afford to pay your rent without issue. Be prepared to show your last two or three paystubs, a W-2, or a job offer from your employer to prove you meet the minimum income requirements for your apartment. If you’re self-employed, you may need to submit a copy of your 1099, bank statements, or previous year’s tax returns to also prove you can afford to pay your rent.

Your credit history will most likely be a qualifying factor to rent an apartment, as it’s a prevalent practice for the landlord to check it. Your credit helps give insight to the landlord on your payment history and overall financial status. Similarly, you may need it also if you apply for utility accounts like cable or internet. However, if you don’t have any credit at all, talk to your landlord about it upfront. When you’re honest about your finances, they may be open to working with you during the apartment application process.

Just like the credit check, don’t be surprised if you’ll be asked personal questions on your apartment application. The background check can give you the opportunity to clarify issues from your past, such as a potential arrest record or any other significant infractions. If the landlord does a background check on you, be honest about your background qualifications, and you may be less likely to be declined to rent an apartment.

Additional Steps 

If you are a first-time renter, there are a few extra steps that you may need to consider. They may not apply to everyone, and may not necessarily apply to your unique rental history. In addition to the above-required documents for apartment application, you may want to consider the following:

· References from your past landlords or other parties that can speak to your reliability as a good tenant for your new landlord.

· A co-signer for your apartment application if you don’t qualify to rent. In many cases, a parent or guardian can act as a co-signer.

· A letter of intent, like a cover letter on your resume, will help your new landlord to get to know more about you. If you don’t have a lot of rental history, or your credit isn’t convincing, these kinds of personal touches may help make a big difference in getting approved for your first apartment.

For someone renting an apartment for the first time, knowing which documents you’ll need in advance, can help make the process seem less daunting and can help expedite the process.. Renting your first apartment is a huge accomplishment. When you have fully complied with the application process and had your application approved, you should feel proud of everything you’ve achieved up to this point.